Category Archives: New York Yankees

A few weeks ago I posted a blog about the pending retirement of Dontrelle Willis, former pitcher with the 2003 World Series Champions Florida Marlins. And now again today I read that Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez is set to announce his retirement.

I’m not sure why those 2003 Florida Marlins have a soft spot in my heart, but for sure I’ll always remember that World Series. Maybe it was because they were playing the New York Yankees and I didn’t give them a prayer for winning. Maybe it was because the combination of Dontrelle and Pudge was something truly awesome to watch. Or maybe it was because I watched the entire series from a condo in Puerto Vallarta; the first two games in Spanish before I figured out how to change the receiver to English. It was memorable because the Spanish speaking announcers were unashamedly cheering for the Yankees and their obvious disappointment was hilarious to listen to. And even though I couldn’t understand a word they were saying, there was no doubt in my mind what they were thinking!

Pudge Rodriguez with the Texas Rangers

Ivan Rodriguez will be eligible for nomination to the Hall of Fame in five years and undoubtedly will be inducted at some point. His list of credentials and honors is impressive indeed and he has chosen to retire as a Texas Ranger. But even though he only spent one year with the Florida Marlins, that’s what I’ll always remember him as. The Florida Marlins catcher in the 2003 World Series. Thanks for the memories Pudge Rodriguez. You deserve all the accolades you’re about to receive!

I found a great little ditty this morning at the Washington Post. The Nationals are going to highlight special food from the visiting team’s home town each time they play in Washington. I recommend you take advantage of San Francisco’s special food “Garlic Fries” this year, especially since the Giants will be playing at Nationals Park on the 4th of July, and not just because they’re our namesake, but because they’re really, really good!

But for sure you gotta love the special food presented by the Washington Nationals this year, honoring their special pitcher, Stephen Strasburg. I hear it includes 12 pickles, representing the twelve strike-outs the Stras got in his first outing. Great article written by Dan Steinberg, from the Washington Post.

Nationals Park introduces 8-pound ‘StrasBurger’

The new 8 lb. Strasburger includes fries and a coke! Courtesy "Yardbarker"

(Marvin Joseph – TWP.) As the baseball season approaches, you know what that means on this here blog: lots of updates on the concessions available at Nationals Park.

Our first update concerns the Red Porch, and a brand-new menu item that will get lots of attention from media and fans: The StrasBurger. Via my favorite friends in Nats PR:

Weighing eight pounds total (including toppings), the StrasBurger is a monstrous all beef burger (combination of ground brisket, chuck and short ribs). The burger is served on a large burger bun with our secret sauce, American cheese, shredded lettuce, sliced tomatoes, sliced red onions, pickle chips and served with a cone basket of fresh cut fries and a pitcher of your choice of soft drink. This signature dish is the perfect entrée to share at this affordably-priced family restaurant.

In case you missed the key phrase, this burger WEIGHS EIGHT POUNDS TOTAL, which is a lot of pounds. Even if some of them are onion pounds. Every TV station in this market will have hosts merrily attempting to grapple with the StrasBurger next month. At least, I hope so.The Red Porch will also feature special food and beer pairings that will spotlight area brews, including those from Dogfish Head and Flying Dog. Any time I get to type “Dogfish Head,” I consider that a win.

Also, the Taste of the Majors stand — which has spotlighted a few items from other MLB cities — will now feature a special dish from the city of each visiting opponent while they’re actually in D.C. Those items will all be limited time only offers, obviously. The list:

Atlanta: Smothered Fried Chicken Platter

Baltimore: Pit Beef Sandwich Platter

Arizona: Dog Platter

Chicago: Dog Platter

Cincinnati: 5-Way Cincinnati Chili

Colorado: Mile High Burger

Houston: Houston Nacho

Los Angeles: Dog Platter

Miami: Cuban Dog

Milwaukee: Beer Brat Platter

New York (Mets and Yankees): Coney Dog Platter

Philadelphia: Philly Chicken Cheese Steak Platter

Pittsburgh: Pitts Burger Platter

St. Louis: BBQ Rib Platter

San Diego: Fish Taco Platter

San Francisco: Garlic Fries and Shrimp Platter

Tampa Bay: Salty Dog Platter

Geez, this is all making me hungry! Only 23 Days to Opening Day ~ See you at the ballpark!

There’s nothing better than a bucket of buttered popcorn and a good baseball movie . I’ve seen a lot of them and up until a month ago my very favorite was probably “For Love of the Game” with Kevin Costner. Who wouldn’t love Costner in a baseball movie? He’s such a “guy” as Kelly Preston tells him in the movie. It’s about the perfect game and except for some flashbacks the entire story takes place in one day on a quest for the perfect game. I’ve seen it at least seven times and will undoubtedly watch it seven more.

Jonah Hill in "Moneyball"

But on November 24 this year I could hardly contain myself waiting for “Moneyball” to open. I waited for it with excitement and anticipation like a kid on Christmas Eve waiting for Christmas morning, especially after reading the book. And I wasn’t disappointed. Continue reading →

This is the third year we’ve published this study by Dr. Don Davis. It’s one of our most popular blogs and we’re happy to be able to share it again with you. Be sure to link to his website for additional information, changes and criteria he used in compiling his study.

“But the mainstay of the big leagues was the reservoir of 4-Fs – males of draft age who had been rejected on physical grounds by the Armed Forces. Not since harem attendants had gone out of style were men’s physical deficiencies so highly prized. Ulcers, hearing defects, and torn cartilages were coveted by team owners.” – Frank Graham, Jr. in Farewell to Heroes (1981)

The 2011 postseason began today but something’s different this year. One of the most exciting times in baseball all of a sudden seems like it’s just another day. Could it be that I still haven’t recovered from the postseason play of 2010?

The media had been inundated with the 2010 San Francisco Giants Cinderella story. It was magic. But the stories of late haven’t been so much about the magic of last season as it is about the everyday mundane normalcy of this season. How could this happen or more-so why did it have to happen? I have a theory.

Historically the World Series champion has only won back-to-back championships on three separate occasions with exception of the Yankees. They don’t count. The returning 2011 Giants were basically the same team that won the 2010 World Series. That 2010 team played their heart out. When they realized in August they had a shot at the division title they went for it. They scratched and clawed and mowed down everything in sight and they won. And then they won again and again and they won the Pennant. Then they won again and again and again and they won the Championship. And then they returned to the adoration of a million fans screaming their hearts out in appreciation of what they had done. After it was all over in mid-November, they went back to their individual homes across the country and they collapsed. They were exhausted. They rested for 6 weeks and then they started all over again. And they were still exhausted.

And I believe that’s how it is for World Series Champions historically. I understand all of this because, you know, I was exhausted too. As fans we went through all of those torturous games with our teammates and we laughed and cried and shared the joy of the entire experience with each and every one of them and we were tired, worn out, and exhausted too.

I’ve been reading a lot of gibberish this week about the fall of the San Francisco Giants kingdom and it’s just that. Gibberish. It seems everyone’s placing blame somewhere, on someone, and it’s getting really personal, you know, about individual players. They’re paid too much, not paid enough, too slow, too fat, too lazy. Ugghhh!

The 2010 Giants were not an extraordinary team. They were an okay, average team with a really good pitching staff. The reason they won their division had more to do with the San Diego Padres choking than it did with the Giants winning. But they did win and found themselves in the post season and we were thrilled.

But now its over and its okay. I’ve written comments throughout this season exclaiming my euphoric state and happiness that the Giants were World Champions and if they never ended up in post season play again, ever, I could easily rest on my (well okay, “their”) laurels. It was that good.

And I think maybe the San Francisco Giants may have felt a little of that too as they began spring training, not really sure what had happened that previous season, and not really wanting it to end, still in a euphoric state of mind, just needing and subconsciously taking a little break.

At least that’s what I think probably happened and that’s how I’m going to always remember it and its cool ~ the San Francisco Giants just taking a little break in 2011.

Last March I wrote a blog entitled “2011 Postseason Predictions” and I’m here to say with all my opinions and wisdom in the world of baseball , I was able to correctly predict two teams, one from the National League and one from the American League. That’s 25% folks, I say as I’m looking for those wet noodles and a carton of eggs to slather around my face.

I mean, who knew? The only two teams that I predicted to win that actually won were the Detroit Tigers and the Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies, of course, were a no-brainer, but I was very proud to stick my neck out in prediction of the Tigers. So be it.

If you were lucky enough to catch one or both of the games last night you were in for a real treat! Whatta thrill! Down to the wire! Reminds me of last year’s Giants – Padres game, the 162nd game, 9th inning and last out. I still get goosebumps remembering the thrill of it all.

In case you’ve been in a coma these past 24 hours or otherwise indisposed, here’s the 2011 Division Winners:

American League

New York Yankees, East

Detroit, Central

Texas, West

Tampa Bay, Wild Card

National League

Philadelphia, East

Milwaukee, Central

Arizona, West

St Louis, Wild Card

So here we are six months later in post season. Predictions? I think I’ll wait a bit and get back to you on that……it’s hard to write with a bunch of egg on my face.

"The best possible thing in baseball is winning the World Series. The second best thing is losing the World Series." - Tommy Lasorda

"You teach me baseball and I’ll teach you relativity.... You will learn about relativity faster than I learn baseball." - Albert Einstein

"Baseball is a game of race, creed, and color. The race is to first base. The creed is the rules of the game. The color? Well, the home team wears white uniforms, and the visiting team wears gray."
Joe Garagiola

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DISCLAIMER

GARLICFRIESANDBASEBALL is written by a long-time fan who simply loves the game. I write my own articles (hence the grammar and occasional misspellings). If I include an article from another source, credit is given to that source and will include links when appropriate. The opinions are my own.